If you are a fan of Hondas or Acuras and have heard of Honda Swap or wish to perform one yourself, you know a good deal about the interchangeability and ease in which you can swap engines, transmissions and more. But if you’ve landed here, you want to know what exact motor can swap into what chassis, and / or vice versa. If you need help removing your old engine, this guide can help you take out of the old Honda engine.
As with all of our engine swap tutorials and writeups, it’s important to know exactly what your end goal is to your project. Setting a reasonable goal now will allow you to make the right fundamental choices in engine, transmission and modifications and make the right choices the first time. Setting unreasonable goals or goals that have set the bar too low might cause you to change your mind, or your build which in turn leads to wasted dollars, time and effort.
For many enthusiasts swapping from their SOHC to something like a B16 is all they will ever need or want, for others who want more for forced induction they may opt for a B18, while others who to be out on the cutting edge may want a K series.
Whatever your goals are, from a 700 hp fire breathing turbocharged monster, 15 second quarter mile drag racer or grocery getter, if you want the information on Honda motor swaps, this is the page for you.
Cheap Honda engine swaps are plentiful and easy to find. Here’s a few suggestions:
If you are in the early stages of planning your Honda swap, head on over to our Honda Swap VTEC Guide where we show you what you need to do for each possible Honda swap combination.
What’s the best Honda Swap Combination?
Easy and common enough question, but the answer is much more complex because you have to take into account so many factors to properly judge them. Good news for you is we’ve already done it for you with our Top 10 Honda Engine Swaps Countdown.
Looking to swap your Honda on a budget? Check out the Yonaka motor mount kits : Yonaka EK 96-00 Honda Civic B or D Series Motor Mounts Kit Set B16 B18 D15 D16
Selecting your Engine vs your chassis
Before looking at any motor or transmission combinations, you’ve got to weigh the generation of engine you are swapping vs the generation of vehicle you are swapping into for a firm grasp on what parts need to be swapped and what parts need to be modified. And to understand this, you have to understand the On Board Diagnostics part of engine swapping and what it means to you and your car.
What generation ECU is in my Honda?
OBD AND YOU
Hondas from 1991 and earlier are OBD0 vehicles, 1992-1995 Hondas are OBDI, the 1996-1998 Honda/Acuras are OBDII, and the 1999-2001 and above are OBDIIB. Each generation of On Board Diagnostics include more and more in the way of emissions controls and sensors that may or may not have to swapped over to your chassis. With the exception of OBD0, which would include vacuum lines to properly set ignition timing, the general rule of thumb is that the earlier version of OBD, the better.
How to Convert from OBD0 to OBD1
How to Convert from OBD2 to OBD1
To that extent, we’ll be focusing on the OBDI swaps which are some of the most common and popular swaps available and do not require such things as a egr or fuel evap systems like the OBDII engines and ECU’s will. Swapping in a OBDII engine into a vehicle that is from an earlier generation may prove troublesome if you want everything to work as if it were stock. For instance, swapping a 1998 Acura Integra B18C1 (GSR) into a OBD0 Honda CRX will include many issues such as fuel tank conversion, secondary 02 conversion and much more.
But this kind of swap involving a motor that is newer than the car, is the only legal method in which to swap your motor in your car, if the state you live in cares about that kind of stuff.
Innovative Honda Swap linkage kits rule out last minute junkyard runs or bending your linkage to make it fit your transmission. Some of the best linkage Honda swap combinations you can use :
If you reside in a state with strict smog laws such as California or Arizona in which laws prohibit you from swapping an older motor into a newer car, you will want to do your homework to find out what is legal and what isnt. If you are concerned about the laws and regulations of the state in which you reside, make sure you check them out to prevent any problems in the future.
Which Motors Go Into My 1992-1995 OBDI Single Cam?
For simplicity sake, we’ll be lumping the 92-95 Honda Civic (EG) and the Del Sol into the same Single Cam category, only for this section. We’ll take a look at what fits what, what parts and mounts you will need and what ecu combinations or changes must be made to complete the engine swap.
OBDI B16a, B17a, B18a – A healthy bump up in torque and power (especially with the VTEC B16) however much of the down low grunt will feel similar to your SOHC.
- Transmission: If you locate this motor and transmission from a wrecker together, you will have a cable clutch transmission which means you will require a conversion unit to allow for usage on your hydraulic vehicle. Check out Hasport, Innovative and many more mount companies for this conversion piece that will make your hydraulic clutch work with a cable one. Conversely you could opt for a Y21, Y80, S80, S4C, which are all hydraulic clutch transmissions and use the traditional slave and master cylinders.
- Mounts: We love Honda engine swaps that don’t need aftermarket polyurethane shake-your-teeth-fillings-apart at light combinations, and this kind of swap can be done using a combination of stock Civic and stock Integra mounts if a Hydraulic B series transmission is used. Depending on the year of the transmission, your tranny mount and / or rear T motor mount may need swapping to match the transmission of your choice.
- ECU: There’s no reason to be cute here, use the same generation OBDI ECU for this swap, a PR3 from 1992-1993 Integra, a P30 or P28 from a B16
- Differences: If your vehicle does not come with VTEC, then you will need a VTEC solenoid and pressure switch added into your engine harness. As you aren’t changing much ( unless your car is a Honda Civic VX ) you can add these wires to your existing harness.
- Axles: Any axles from a 1990-2000 Acura Integra will work here, as well as a 1994-1997 Del Sol or the EM1 axles from a 1999-2000 Honda Civic. If you opt to use a 1990-1993 Integra ( DA ) axle setup, you will need to change the intermediate shaft seal on the driver side of the transmission.
OBDII B18A (1994-2001 Acura Integra) – Terrific choice with a healthy bump in torque but without the added benefit of VTEC. Forced induction favorite with the lower compression of a B18A.
- Transmission: As this engine is usually coupled to a hydraulic transmission of some sort, either the USDM or JDM Y21, Y80, S80, AND S4C. You can of course opt for a cable transmission for use here, if you want another conversion kit to make the clutch engage and disengage.
- Mounts: Like the B16 in this vehicle, you can use the factory Honda mounts for a superior OE feel that will give your car the impression Honda put the motor in your car from the factory.
- ECU: Like the B16, no need to fix what isn’t broke, use a P75 from a 1994-1995 Acura Integra.
- Differences: If you do not have a 4 wire 02 in your car, you will need to add those additional 02 heater lines to the 02 sensor
- Axles: Any Integra axles from 1990-2001 will fit, as well as the 1994-1997 Del Sol and 1999-2000 Honda Civic. As with the B16 if you opt for the 1990-1993 Integra axles you will need a change at the intermediate shaft.
OBDII B18C1 – B18C5 (1994-2001 Acura Integra) – The best overall choice for those who don’t want to make the leap to a H or K series motor, with VTEC and a robust rpm range this motor is meant to wind up and power your Honda Swap down the street.
- Transmission : The same as the B18A1 choices here, the standard JDM or USDM Y21, Y80, S80, AND S4C, a cable tranny from 1990-1993 if you want to buy a conversion kit
- Mounts: Like the B16A and B18A in this vehicle, you can use the factory Honda mounts for a superior OE feel that will give your car the impression Honda put the motor in your car from the factory.
- ECU: You can elect to use the ecu (P72) that came with the car, as they come in OBDI and OBDII flavors but if you are going to use a OBDII unit expect check engine lights unless your ECU is chipped. Chipped ecus can range from the JDM P30 ECU to a chipped P28 ECU
- Differences: The same 4 wire 02 issues remain, as the B18A and B16A as well as the standard non-vtec models that must wire in the pressure and vtec solenoid for the VTEC to engage. A knock sensor will need to be wired in, unless you are running a chipped ecu.
- Axles: Any Integra axles from 1990-2001 will fit, as well as the 1994-1997 Del Sol and 1999-2000 Honda Civic. As with the B16 if you opt for the 1990-1993 Integra axles you will need a change at the intermediate shaft.
Throttle bracket and cable differences can often mess things up for you at this stage. Make sure to check our chart below to ensure you’ve got the right Honda bracket part number as well as the right cable. If you need an aftermarket bracket, there are several available here :
Which Motors Go Into My 1996-2000 OBDII Single Cam?
While the 1996-2000 Honda Civic ( EK ) is a slightly less popular swap candidate than the previous generation, it’s still plenty to like about this chassis with clean lines and an excellent curb weight.
OBDI B16a, B17a, B18a – Great choice from any of these, although the obvious performance orientated choice would include a VTEC engine.
- Transmission: Much like the EG, if you are selecting to swap in one of these motors you will need a conversion harness with unit to allow for your hydraulic clutch master to interact with the cable assembly. Either that or go shopping for the proper hydraulic transmission ( Y21, Y80, S80, S4C) for this engine and it will work without the use of a conversion unit.
- Mounts: If you are using a hydraulic B series transmission a combination of the stock 1999 Honda Civic Si mounts and the lower timing belt mount from a Del Sol will do the trick for your swap. If you are keeping the cable actuated transmission you will still need to change the bracket under the timing belt and the T mount on the back of the motor, depending on which transmission you will be utlizing.
- ECU: A chipped P28 will go a long way in resolving some of the issues with this swap, unless you opt for the non vtec version of this engine. This swap won’t be legal in CA, so going with a chipped P28 along with a conversion harness for your ECU will take care of the majority of the headache here.
- Differences: There can be a ton of differences here as you are bridging from your OBDII vehicle to a older generation, however it’s usually best to retain the stock engine harness and add to it what you need.
- Axles: Much like the EG chassis, any Integra axles from 1990-2001 will fit, as well as the Del Sol and Honda Civics (1994-1997 and 1999-2000 respectively). As with the B16 if you opt for the 1990-1993 Integra axles you will need a change at the intermediate shaft.
OBDII B18A and B18C1/B18C5 (1994-2001 Acura Integra) – Another great choice for those wanting the upgrade to DOHC.
- Transmission: As this engine is usually coupled to a hydraulic transmission of some sort, either the USDM or JDM Y21, Y80, S80, AND S4C, and there’s no real reason to step down to a cable transmission in this case.
- Mounts: You can use the stock mounts from a 1999 Honda Civic Si with the only change to the lower timing side mount, this must be a Del Sol unit for everything to line up correctly.
- ECU: Use a P75 from a 1994-1995 Acura Integra to get your swap moving on the road, you may or may not require a harness to convert depending on the year of your chassis. If your vehicle is not an EX, the usual VTEC solenoid and switch wiring must be completed.
- Differences: If you do not have a 4 wire 02 in your car, you will need to add those additional 02 heater lines to the 02 sensor as well as the knock sensor depending on what ECU you elect to run.
- Axles: The 1994-1997 Del Sol and 1999-2000 Honda Civic SI is your best bet, if you cannot find those and are stuck with a set of OBDI Acura Integra (DA) axles, find the right intermediate shaft before swapping.
How To Change Your Honda 02 Sensor
How To Change Honda Civic Brakes
Which Honda Swap is the Best?
That’s a question we get a lot and to be honest, there’s nothing wrong with the B series. Some may say it’s old or not cutting edge like a K series, but swapping a JDM Honda CRV engine and building a LS VTEC is cheap reliable power. Our guide to buying a JDM engine can show you how to get what you want, whether it’s a JDM Honda CRV engine, or a Honda Civic type R front clip.
H family of motors next
Stay Tuned for our next update!
- Pro Street Staff
- www.prostreetonline.com
- 1-888-776-7022
